This week’s topics
Finding information: libraries, databases and search engines
- Choosing good keywords
- Simple search tips
What you will be able to do
- 1.1 Distinguish between primary and secondary sources.
- 1.2 Evaluate the credibility of a source (CRAAP test).
Activity
Find three useful sources on a set topic using the library catalogue and a search engine.
Study materials
Further resources
- Workplace Software and Skills, 1.3: Conducting Effective Searches · PDF · OpenStax Workplace Software and Skills (2023), 1.3 on choosing keywords and search operators, pp. 36–38 · for registered students
- Writing Guide, 13.1: Libraries and databases · PDF · OpenStax Writing Guide with Handbook (2021), 13.1 on using libraries, reference works and databases, pp. 426–428 · for registered students
- Writing Guide, 14.1: Locating Sources · PDF · OpenStax Writing Guide with Handbook (2021), 14.1 on keywords and Boolean operators, pp. 460–461 · for registered students
- Public awareness and attitudes towards search engine optimization · Open-access article · Lewandowski & Schultheiß (2023), Behaviour & Information Technology. How search engines rank results and how aware users are of this. · for registered students
- How to perform a literature review with free and open source software · Open-access article · Pearce (2018), Practical Assessment, Research & Evaluation. Step-by-step searching and organising literature with free tools. · for registered students
Materials marked “for registered students” open in the student portal, which is set up as soon as you receive final acceptance.
